Device for storing wigs

ABSTRACT

A collapsible wig storing device including upper and lower horizontally disposed rings and a plurality of elongated ribs having apertures in opposite end portions thereof receiving said rings to permit said ribs to be moved angularly around the rings between spaced-apart positions for use in supporting a wig and closely spaced positions for storing the device when not in use. The intermediate portions of the ribs are convexly curved to conform generally to the configuration of a person&#39;&#39;s head while the lower portions of said ribs are concavely formed to provide outwardly projecting portions for supporting the device in upright position in use. The ribs are made from flexible resilient material to permit two groups of ribs located on opposite sides of the rings to be moved inwardly towards each other thereby causing the rings to move out of horizontal planes causing the ribs in each of the groups to move closer to each other into a collapsed position for storing the device. Preferably, a plurality of coil compression springs are placed on each of the rings between the ribs to facilitate and maintain positioning of the ribs.

United States Patent Olive E. Fleisher 1216 11th Ave., Vero Beach, Fla. 32960 [21] Appl. No. 29,924

[22] Filed Apr. 20, 1970 [45] Patented Sept. 7, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] DEVICE FOR STORING WlGS l 1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 223/66, 211/30, 248/177 [51] Int. Cl ..D06c 15/00, D06f 59/00, A47g 29/08 [50] Field of Search 223/1,

3,435,832 4/1969 lto ABSTRACT: A collapsible wig storing device including upper and lower horizontally disposed rings and a plurality of elongated ribs having apertures in opposite end portions thereof receiving said rings to permit said ribs to be moved angularly around the rings between spaced-apart positions for use in supporting a wig and closely spaced positions for storing the device when not in use. The intermediate portions of the ribs are convexly curved to conform generally to the configuration of a persons head while the lower portions of said ribs are concavely formed to provide outwardly projecting portions for supporting the device in upright position in use. The ribs are made from flexible resilient material to permit two groups of ribs located on opposite sides of the rings to be moved inwardly towards each other thereby causing the rings to move out of horizontal planes causing the ribs in each of the groups to move closer to each other into a collapsed position for storing the device. Preferably, a plurality of coil compression springs are placed on each of the rings between the ribs to facilitate and maintain positioning of the ribs.

PATENTED SEP H971 ATTORNEYS DEVIICE ron sroruNc WHGS SUMMARY or lNVENTlON The present invention is a novel device for storing wigs or similar articles.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel device for supporting a wig for storage in an upright position which the wig would normally assume when in use on a persons head.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device which may be quickly and easily collapsed for storage or transportation when not in use and which may subsequently be quickly and easily erected for use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device which will achieve the above objects and yet may be relatively economically manufactured with a durable construction.

The above and other objects are achieved in a device which in one specific embodiment, includes a pair of upper and lower rings and a plurality of indentical, thin, elongated ribs having upper and lower portions mounted on said rings for angular movement about said rings between spread apart positions for use and closely spaced positions for storage of the device when not in use. in the specific embodiment, the ribs are so mounted by apertures formed in their upper ends which freely receive the upper ring, and apertures formed in intermediate portions thereof adjacent their lower ends which freely receive the lower ring. Preferably, a plurality of coil compression springs are provided on both of said rings between adjacent ribs for facilitating adjustment of the rib elements into their spread apart position for use as well as for maintaining the ribs in this position.

The major portions of each of the ribs which extend between the upper and lower rings in the specific embodiment have a generally convex configuration to generally conform to the shape of a human head. The lower portions of the rib elements have a concave configuration to provide outwardly projecting portions for supporting the device on a table or other horizontal surface when in use. if desired, a net may be placed over the rib elements to span the spaces therebetween when in use.

When the device is in the use position, the upper and lower rings extend generally in horizontal planes while being coaxial with each other, and the rib elements are spaced about the rings to provide a cage-like structure. When it is desired to collapse the device for storage or transportation when not in use, the rib elements are first separated on opposite sides of said rings into two equal groups. The two groups of ribs are then moved towards each other towards the center of the device which causes the rings to rotate about horizontal axes out of their horizontal planes and into planes extending at an angle to the horizontal. This movement of the rings causes the rib elements in each group to angularly move closer to each other into a fully collapsed position. in this collapsed position, the rigs in each of the groups are not only closer to each other, but also the two groups of ribs are positioned closer to each other. The ribs are formed from suitable resilient flexible material, preferably plastic, thus allowing the aforementioned collapsing movement since during this movement, one group of rigs is deformed to increase its net length while the outer group of ribs is deformed to decrease its net length as will be further described below. When it is desired to unfold and erect the device for use, the two groups of rigs are pulled apart thus rotating the rings back to their horizontal planes. Thereafter the ribs in each group are spread apart about the rings into angularly spaced positions for supporting a wig.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FlG. ii is a perspective view of a device embodying the in vention shown in use supporting a wig;

FlG. 2 is a view similar to FlG. 1 but omitting the wig;

FlG. 3 is a perspective view of the device in a partially collapsed position; and

F16. 4 is a perspective view of the device in a fully collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 a device generally designated embodying the present invention for supporting a wig or similar article 12 in a natural position when the wig is not in use. H0. 1 further illustrates use of a net 11 laid over the device 10 for aiding support of the wig 12. In the specific embodiment, the device includes upper and lower rings 14 and 16 which are formed from any suitable rigid, metallic or plastic material. Slidably mounted on rings 1d and 16 for movement about the rings between spread apart positions for supporting a wig, and closely spaced positions for storing the device, are a plurality of thin, elongated ribs 20 which in the shown embodiment have generally S-shapes identical to each other. in the specific form illustrated, the mounting of rigs 20 to rings 14 and 16 is accomplished by eyes 22 integrally formed at the upper ends of ribs 20 slidably receiving the upper ring 14, and a second set of eyes 24 formed at intermediate portions of the ribs closer to the lower portions thereof for slidably receiving lower ring 16. Although for purposes of simplicity and manufacture, it is preferred that ribs 20 be mounted to rings 14 and 16 by means of the integral eyes 22 and 24, it will be appreciated that any other suitable mounting method may be employed such as pivotable and slidable linkage connections (not shown) between ribs 26 and rings 14 and 16. The dimension of the apertures in eyes 22 and 24 is such as to permit rigs 20 to be easily moved about rings 14 into adjusted positions for use such as shown in FIG. 2 or into collapsed positions shown in F168. 3 and 1.

In order to facilitate movement of ribs 20 into the spread apart use positions shown in FlG. 2, a plurality of coil compression springs 26 are provided on rings 14 and 16 between each adjacent pair of ribs 20. Springs 26 not only serve to bias ribs 20 from collapsed positions shown in F168. 3 and i to the spread apart positions shown in H0. 2, but moreover springs 26 also serve to help maintain ribs 20 in the spread apart positions shown in FIG. 2. it should be understood however that the device will successfully function without use of springs 26 which may therefore be omitted, if desired.

in the spread apart positions of ribs 20 shown in FIG. 2, upper and lower rings M and 16 extend in generally horizontal parallel planes with rings M and 16 being generally coaxial to each other. intermediate portions ma of the ribs Ztl are con vexly curved to conform generally to the shape of a head so that wig 12 may be supported thereon in a natural position as indicated in F116. 1. The lower portions 20b of ribs 20 have a generally concave shape to provide outwardly projecting portions for standing the device on a horizontal support surface (not shown). in the specific embodiment, the extremities 200 of lower portions 20b are curved or coiled upwardly and inwardly to avoid sharp edges and also to provide portions which may be grasped to handle the device during placement of a wig thereon. it will be appreciated of course that other shapes of ribs 2@ may be employed. Additionally, although 10 ribs Ell are shown, a greater or lesser number of ribs may also be employed. Furthermore, although in the shown embodi merit, upper and lower rings 14 and. 16 have the same diame ter, different diameter rings as well as shapes may be em ployed depending on the configuration to be achieved which in turn of course will depend upon the shape of the wig or arti cle which is to be supported.

When the device 10 is not in use it is desired to collapse it for storage or transportation, ribs 2% are divided into two preferably equal groups on opposite sides of the rings 14 and 16 as shown in FIG. 3. This is easily accomplished by manipu lating the ribs with the fingers and moving them into the groups. The two groups of ribs 20 are then laterally moved inwardly towards each other which may easily be accomplished by the hands, the inward direction being indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. This movement will cause rings 14 and 16 to rotate about horizontal axes into the positions shown in FIG. 4 which not only permits the two groups of ribs to be moved closer to each other but also causes the ribs in each group to move against each other in close, generally abutting relationship. The resilient flexibility of the ribs facilitates such movement into the collapsed positions. However it will be noted that because of the shifting of the position of the rings into the positions shown in FIG. 4, the ribs will not be placed under any significant stress which would tend to permanently deform them from their normal unstressed shape which is generally S-shaped as illustrated. in the fully collapsed position shown in FlG. 4, springs 26 are compressed.

When it is desired to unfold and erect the device for use, the opposite groups of ribs are merely pulled apart to return rings 14 and 16 into the horizontal planes shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter the ribs 20 in each group may be separated and ad justed into generally equiangularly spaced positions about the rings as shown in FIG. 2. This latter step is facilitated by springs 26.

lclaim:

l. A device for storing wigs or the like, comprising in combination; upper and lower annular members, and a plurality of elongated rib elements having opposite end portions slidably mounted on said annular members to be adjustable angularly about said annular members between collapsed and spread apart positions, said elements having intermediate portions of generally convex configuration, said annular members extending in generally horizontal planes with said rib elements extending generally vertically therebetween when the device is positioned for use.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said elements have apertures in opposite end portions thereof slidably receiving said annular members and thereby mounting said elements to said annular members for movement between the said collapsed and spread apart positions.

3. The device defined in claim 2 further including, a plurality of compression coil springs located on both of said annular members between each of said elements respectively,

4. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said rib elements are made from a flexible resilient material.

5. The device defined in claim 1 further including in combination, a net received externally about said elements and substantially covering all of said elements to span the spaces between said elements.

6. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said rib elements have bottom portions of generally concave configuration including outwardly projecting portions for supporting the device in upright position when the elements are in spread apart positions.

7. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said annular members and ribs are dimensioned and arranged such that when the rib elements are in spread apart position said annular members are generally coaxial with each other while extending in generally horizontal planes, said rib elements being made of flexible resilient material to permit first and second groups of rib elements located on opposite sides of said annular members to move from their horizontal planes into planes extending at an angle to the horizontal to cause the rib elements in each group to move closer to each other while the two groups of rib elements move inwardly towards each other thereby placing the device in a further collapsed position.

8. A device defined in claim 7 wherein said annular members are formed from rigid material and have circular configurations and wherein said rib elements are formed from plastic material.

9. A device for storing wigs or other similar articles, comprising the combination of: upper and lower rings and a plurality of flexible elongated support elements having means on opposite end portions thereof mounting them on said rings for adjustable sliding movement circumferentially along said rings between spread apart positions for forming a frame for supporting a wig and closely spaced positions for collapsing the device for storage, said rings lying in generally horizontal planes when said support elements are in said spread apart positions curing use, said rings being angularly movable out of said horizontal planes relative to said support elements when said support elements are in said closely spaced positions for collapsing said device laterally inwardly for storage when not in use, said support elements having convex portions extending between said rings permitting the distances between said rings to be varied when said rings are angularly movable out of said horizontal planes.

10. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said elements have lower portions projecting laterally outwardly therefrom for supporting the device in upright position.

11. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said means are eyes receiving said rings. 

1. A device for storing wigs or the like, comprising in combination; upper and lower annular members, and a plurality of elongated rib elements having opposite end portions slidably mounted on said annular members to be adjustable angularly about said annular members between collapsed and spread apart positions, said elements having intermediate portions of generally convex configuration, said annular members extending in generally horizontal planes with said rib elements extending generally vertically therebetween when the device is positioned for use.
 2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said elements have apertures in opposite end portions thereof slidably receiving said annular members and thereby mounting said elements to said annular members for movement between the said collapsed and spread apart Positions.
 3. The device defined in claim 2 further including, a plurality of compression coil springs located on both of said annular members between each of said elements respectively.
 4. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said rib elements are made from a flexible resilient material.
 5. The device defined in claim 1 further including in combination, a net received externally about said elements and substantially covering all of said elements to span the spaces between said elements.
 6. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said rib elements have bottom portions of generally concave configuration including outwardly projecting portions for supporting the device in upright position when the elements are in spread apart positions.
 7. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said annular members and ribs are dimensioned and arranged such that when the rib elements are in spread apart position said annular members are generally coaxial with each other while extending in generally horizontal planes, said rib elements being made of flexible resilient material to permit first and second groups of rib elements located on opposite sides of said annular members to move from their horizontal planes into planes extending at an angle to the horizontal to cause the rib elements in each group to move closer to each other while the two groups of rib elements move inwardly towards each other thereby placing the device in a further collapsed position.
 8. A device defined in claim 7 wherein said annular members are formed from rigid material and have circular configurations and wherein said rib elements are formed from plastic material.
 9. A device for storing wigs or other similar articles, comprising the combination of: upper and lower rings and a plurality of flexible elongated support elements having means on opposite end portions thereof mounting them on said rings for adjustable sliding movement circumferentially along said rings between spread apart positions for forming a frame for supporting a wig and closely spaced positions for collapsing the device for storage, said rings lying in generally horizontal planes when said support elements are in said spread apart positions curing use, said rings being angularly movable out of said horizontal planes relative to said support elements when said support elements are in said closely spaced positions for collapsing said device laterally inwardly for storage when not in use, said support elements having convex portions extending between said rings permitting the distances between said rings to be varied when said rings are angularly movable out of said horizontal planes.
 10. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said elements have lower portions projecting laterally outwardly therefrom for supporting the device in upright position.
 11. The device defined in claim 9 wherein said means are eyes receiving said rings. 